The latest International Longshore & Warehouse Union (ILWU) labor action that shut down terminals and slowed down port operations up and down the West Coast is all about money. The ILWU is demanding big pay raises for its workers, who are already among the top paid people in the country. By all reports, the demand for more money is what was behind all the port disruption this week and last.

In a news flash email today, All-Ways summed up the situation pretty well:

“The ILWU wants to raise their wages to increase more than 100% over the 6-year contract, so they’re holding up cargo across the West Coast?

“Yes, you heard that right!

“Wage disparity is the root of this past week’s job actions.

“The ILWU wants a $7.50/hour increase for each year of the new contract but the PMA [Pacific Maritime Association] generally has only increased hourly rates by 50 cents to $1.50! Plus, the ILWU wants all longshore workers to be paid 2 hours overtime for any 8-hour shift worked.”

To find out details on delays the ILWU created, exactly how much these union members make, and more, read the rest in Universal Cargo’s blog.